A natural, nontoxic product called genistein-combined
polysaccharide, or GCP, which is commercially available in health stores, could
help lengthen the life expectancy of certain prostate cancer patients, UC Davis
researchers have found.
Men with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of
the body, known as metastatic cancer, and who have had their testosterone
lowered with drug therapy are most likely to benefit. The study, recently
published in Endocrine-Related Cancer, was conducted in prostate cancer cells
and in mice.
Lowering of testosterone, also known as androgen-deprivation
therapy, has long been the standard of care for patients with metastatic
prostate cancer, but life expectancies vary widely for those who undergo this
treatment. Testosterone is an androgen, the generic term for any compound that
stimulates or controls development and maintenance of male characteristics by
binding to androgen receptors.